New Castle, PA - Alexander 'Sam' Piccirillo, 97, of Neshannock Township, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025.

Sam was born on December 2, 1928, in Mahoningtown, Pennsylvania, to Pasquale and Raffaela (DiBenneditto) Piccirillo. Sam was one of nine kids. He was part of New Castle High School's last January graduating class of 1947. After graduating from high school, he worked for Shenango Pottery before serving in the Korean War, where he was a military police officer stationed in Tokyo, Japan. He went on to work as a journeyman ceramic caster at Universal Rundle for 25 years. During this time, he met the love of his life, Zeta Graziani, and they were married on July 3, 1965, recently celebrating their 60th anniversary. He then worked at A. Graziani and Company until he retired.

In his free time, Sam enjoyed golfing, bowling with his brothers and playing table tennis. He was a member of the American Legion and regularly attended Sunday Mass at Holy Spirit Parish (St. Vitus). He was an avid reader and enjoyed sharing the stories of the books he read with his wife at the kitchen table. He loved taking care of his lawn and gardening and was always busy fixing something around the house, whistling a tune as he worked. He adored spending time with his grandchildren; teaching them how to ride a bike, letting them help him in his workshop and playing endless rounds of table tennis with them. He was always their biggest fan, supporting them in all of their activities and adventures. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Alex is survived by his spouse of 60 years, Zeta (Graziani); his four children, Ann Marie (Eric) Alessi of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Sandra (Scott) Seltzer of New Castle, Pennsylvania, Nicole (Joey) Jones of Tampa, Florida, and Jennie (Joe) Anderson of New Castle, Pennsylvania; his sister Anna (Ron) Hruska of Pensacola, Florida; his 11 grandchildren and their spouses, Antonio Alessi, Olivia Alessi, Alex and Alyssa Seltzer, Matt and Grace Seltzer, Kaitlin Seltzer, Mia Jones, Isaiah Jones, Taylor Anderson, Miley Anderson, Liana Anderson and Joey Lynn Anderson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his five brothers and two sisters: Angelo Piccirillo, Gennero Piccirillo, Patsy Piccirillo, Pete Piccirillo, Donald Piccirillo, Caroline Razanno and Angela Piccirillo.

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ed & Don DeCarbo Funeral Home & Crematory, 3000 Wilmington Road. The New Castle Area Honor Guard will perform full Military Rites on Thursday at 9:45 a.m. at the funeral home. A procession will leave the funeral home on Thursday at 10 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Parish, St. Vitus Church. Father Aaron Kriss will officiate. Entombment will be in Castle View Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Castle Public Library, 207 E. North St. New Castle, PA 16101

Online condolences may be offered at www.decarbofh.com.